All-in-One Motion Stage Enables High-Precision Medical Imaging
Dover Motion released a new open-frame XY scanning stage designed for transmissive imaging and life science instrumentation. The SmartStage Open Frame XY combines high-precision motion control with a compact form factor, featuring a fully integrated controller that's physically embedded within the device. By eliminating the need for an external controller and consolidating power and communication into a single cable, the design aims to simplify system integration.
The device is engineered for what Dover Motion calls "high-performance positioning" with sub-micron accuracy. Even slight deviations can impair image quality in areas such as DNA sequencing, digital pathology, and cell imaging. The company said the SmartStage Open Frame XY also features smooth velocity stability for time-delay integration (TDI) scanning and rapid step-and-settle performance for field-to-field movement.
The embedded control system enables user-definable motion profiles and advanced synchronization features. High-resolution trigger-on-position (TOP) functionality supports coordinated imaging and laser applications, while its user-defined profile (UDP) mode allows it to mirror external axis or input-defined motion curves. With a travel range of 150 × 150 mm, the stage supports a wide range of sample formats, including multi-well plates, slides, and incubators.
Optimized for both upright and inverted microscopes, the company said the SmartStage Open Frame XY gives engineers the flexibility to rapidly prototype and scale instruments using a unified architecture.
“The SmartStage ecosystem of products enables rapid breadboarding of instrument designs—while also being suitable for production. The stages combine motion control, drive, and position feedback into one compact package so instrument design teams can focus on bringing their core technology to market,” said Justin Harper, Dover Motion's Senior Product Manager. “This allows OEMs to leverage a common architecture for XY sample positioning and Z focusing stages, while enjoying reduced part count, size, and complexity.”
The stage supports CAN 2.0B, RS-232, and RS-485 communications.
